Disappointing drug arrest for rising star of KC’s Democrats

The political career of state Rep. Jeremy LaFaver, a rising Democratic star from Kansas City’s Waldo area, suffered a stunning setback Sunday with his arrest for charges that included possession of marijuana.

His arrest comes at a bad time for Democrats, who are trying to hold on to votes to help sustain Gov. Jay Nixon’s many vetoes during a session that begins in mid-September.

It’s especially disappointing because LaFaver, who represents District 25 in the Missouri House, was one of the few Democrats who has received positive publicity in recent months.

He’s also been seen as somewhat of a spokesman for the party. For instance, when the Missouri State Fair controversy erupted earlier this month over a clown making fun of President Barack Obama, LaFaver took to social media to decry the incident.

You can be sure that the arrest of LaFaver will be publicized by Republicans as a failure of Democrats to elect upstanding people to office.

Indeed, PoliticMo was reporting that the Missouri Republican Party was calling on LaFaver to resign his seat from the Missouri House.

But on Sunday, PoliticMo reported that LaFaver issued a statement about the arrest.

“I made a serious mistake, I apologize for it, and I am prepared to face the consequences of my behavior. I want to stress that I was not operating under the influence. I deeply regret the embarrassment I have caused my family and the people of the 25th District by this incident. I want to assure my constituents that I have received no special considerations, nor do I expect to be treated any differently than any other citizen in my situation.”